Foul-cursed Clemmons on winning legacy: 'I'm not a quitter'

The senior guard sat the final 17:26 of the first half vs. Villanova with 2 fouls.

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Anthony Clemmons, left, was limited to 19 minutes of action after picking up two early fouls against Villanova. Iowa coach Fran McCaffery, right, said he struggled with whether to re-insert Clemmons with two.(Photo: Brian Powers, The Register)Buy Photo

Clemmons was whistled for his second foul 2½ minutes into the game while trying to stop Villanova’s Jalen Brunson from enjoying a breakaway layup after Mike Gesell’s turnover. Iowa trailed 7-6 at the time.

Clemmons sat and watched the rest of the half, which ended with Villanova in front 54-29.

That’s the approach Iowa coach Fran McCaffery deploys when one of his key guys picks up two first-half fouls. It’s one he revisited as the game began to slip away.

“I thought about putting him back in. I struggled with it,” McCaffery said. "But I thought with (Nicholas) Baer playing the way he played, and Christian (Williams) was solid, we could get by without him. I thought it would allow Sapp (Clemmons’ nickname) to play his game in the second half.”

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Iowa and Villanova line up for the national anthem before their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game against on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa cheers before their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game against Villanova on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa walks out onto the court for their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game against Villanova on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Peter Jok (14) has the ball stripped by Villanova's Ryan Arcidiacono during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Brian Powers/The Register

Villanova's Jalen Brunson takes off down the court away from from IowaÕs Mike Gesell (10) during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Jarrod Uthoff (20) looses the ball against Villanova's Josh Hart during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Christian Williams (11) defends Villanova's Jalen Brunson during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Jarrod Uthoff (20) is tripped up by Villanova's Kris Jenkins during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Jarrod Uthoff (20) drives to the net during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Michael Soukup (3) hangs out in the locker room and media members talk to the team following their 87-68 loss to Villanova during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Nicholas Baer (51) talks to the media in the locker room following their 87-68 loss to Villanova during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Anthony Clemmons (5), right, and IowaÕs Peter Jok (14) sit on their phones as media members talk to their teammates in the locker room following their 87-68 loss to Villanova during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Adam Woodbury (34) sits in the locker room as media members ask his teammates questions after their 87-68 loss to Villanova at their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Christian Williams (11) passes the ball during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Nicholas Baer (51) is fouled on his way to the basket during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Anthony Clemmons (5) has his shot blocked by Villanova's Daniel Ochefu during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

Actress Katie Holmes sits in the stands with her daughter Suri Cruise during Iowa's second round NCAA Basketball Championship game against Villanova on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Jarrod Uthoff (20) shoots during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Fran McCaffery holds onto IowaÕs Anthony Clemmons (5) after he ran into the bench during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

Villanova's Kris Jenkins and Villanova's Josh Hart high five as the clocks winds down during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Adam Woodbury (34) is welcomed to the bench by IowaÕs Fran McCaffery in the final seconds of Iowa's 87-68 loss to Villanova at their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Jarrod Uthoff (20) is welcomed to the bench by his teammates in the final seconds of Iowa's 87-68 loss to Villanova at their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Andrew Fleming (2) tries to work around Villanova's Jalen Brunson during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Dom Uhl (25) defends Villanova's Phil Booth during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Mike Gesell (10) passes to IowaÕs Adam Woodbury (34) during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Anthony Clemmons (5) goes up for a layup against Villanova's Daniel Ochefu during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Nicholas Baer (51) dunks after getting his own rebound during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Jarrod Uthoff (20) tries to defend Villanova's Josh Hart during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Adam Woodbury (34) goes up for a shot during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Okey Ukah (23) cheers from the bench during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Anthony Clemmons (5) tries to block Villanova's Josh Hartduring their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Mike Gesell (10) tries to block the shot of Villanova's Ryan Arcidiacono during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Mike Gesell (10) goes up against Villanova's Josh Hart during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Mike Gesell (10) looks up at Villanova's Jalen Brunson during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Nicholas Baer (51) and IowaÕs Adam Woodbury (34) defend Villanova's Phil Booth during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68.
Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Adam Woodbury (34) looks up at the ball at tipoff during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game against Villanova on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Brian Powers/The Register

Villanova's Josh Hart strips the ball from IowaÕs Peter Jok (14) during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa fans call for a foul during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

Villanova's Josh Hart is fouled by IowaÕs Mike Gesell (10) and he goes to the basket during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Jarrod Uthoff (20) walks off the court after loosing to Villanova 87-68
during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Anthony Clemmons (5) talks to the media in the locker room following their 87-68 loss to Villanova during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa cheers before their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game against Villanova on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

The Iowa band plays before the Hawkeyes second round NCAA Basketball Championship game against Villanova on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

IowaÕs Anthony Clemmons (5) talks to the media in the locker room following their 87-68 loss to Villanova during their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa fans photograph the court before their second round NCAA Basketball Championship game against Villanova on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in New York City, New York. Villanova would go on to win 87-68. Brian Powers/The Register

There’s no question Clemmons, who was responsible for stifling many Big Ten Conference guards during the regular season, could have helped Iowa’s leaky perimeter defense. Villanova made six consecutive 3-point attempts during one stretch.

He didn't lobby McCaffery to put him back in.

“I thought my guys were going to pretty much keep it close,” Clemmons said, “make sure it didn’t get out of hand.”

Unfortunately, the game did. A 13-all score devolved to 21-13. Then 31-21 went to 43-24. Villanova shot 61 percent in the first half.

“Unfortunately, they were able to hit (3s). We never bothered them,” Clemmons said. “They were just able to get a rhythm quick, and they caught confidence.”

Clemmons’ value was evident in the second half — he was aggressive offensively, scoring nine points with four assists. He fought to the finish as Iowa cut a 34-point deficit to 16 on his driving bucket with 1:44 to go.

It was an emblematic end to Clemmons’ 137th and final game as a Hawkeye, especially after his soul-searching sophomore season, when he considered transferring. But he stuck it out to the end, at Iowa and on Sunday.

“I’m able to hold my head high with what I left in this program,” Clemmons said. “… I think I left my legacy as a winner. I’m not a quitter.”

CLOSE

The Register's Chad Leistikow looks back at the year that was after the Hawkeyes' second-round loss to Villanova in Brooklyn, N.Y.